SCC, Newark Educators Break Ground
For New Central High School

State Fully Funding, Managing $65 Million Project

Newark, NJ (June 15, 2004) - Students, teachers and community supporters joined representatives of the Newark School District and New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) in a groundbreaking ceremony today to mark the start of construction of the new Newark Central High School that will provide state-of-the-art educational opportunities for over 1,200 students in 9th through 12th grades.

Central High School Drum Line

The $65 million facility will replace old Central High School, which was built in 1911 and added to extensively over the years. At 259,640 square feet, the new Newark Central High School will be much larger than the old one and will be located in an area bounded by 17th Avenue, Boyd Street and 18th Avenue within the community it serves. The new school will be located in the heart of Newark’s Hope VI development and the city’s Central Ward, thereby serving as an important center and resource for the community.

Central High School Junior Color Guard

This was the second high school groundbreaking in Newark within a month. In mid May, Governor James E. McGreevey broke ground for $63 million Science Park High School that will maximize 21st century educational opportunities for up to 1,200 students as part of Newark’s University Heights Science Park. Along with the Central High project, these facilities will be the first new high schools in Newark in 40 years.

Governor McGreevey said, “Today, we mark yet another milestone in our effort to bring new state-of-the-art schools to the children of Newark. Whether it’s nationally recognized pre-school programs, revolutionary after-school programs, or one of the nation’s largest school construction initiatives, we are building a better New Jersey for our students.”

Students View the plans for the new high school

The new school will include a three-story academic wing and a school/community wing with an auditorium, gym and media center. An atrium lobby will connect the wings. The school also will include a full clinic and child-care center, parking and recreational space.

The school will also be fully barrier free, meaning students and community residents with physical limitations will be able to attend their neighborhood school or participate in community activities held at the school. The facility’s environmental design features include geothermal heating and cooling, an energy-recovery system for all continuously occupied spaces and day lighting for virtually all instruction areas. The new school is scheduled to open in the early 2006.

School Superintendent Marion A. Bolden stated, “The ground breaking for the new Central High School is another major step forward in the rebuilding and revitalizing of the Newark Public Schools. We are grateful to the State and encouraged by the ongoing positive partnership with the SCC that is making the building of our new schools possible. Together, along with our city leaders and community, we are building a new Newark. Together we are helping to make the renaissance happen! ”

State Senator Ronald L. Rice, Jack Spencer, SCC CEO, Mayor/Senator Sharpe James

John F. Spencer, SCC Chief Executive Officer, remarked, "With the start of construction, this is a great day for the entire City of Newark that will benefit students, teachers and the community at large. The SCC is providing high-performance schools in a cost-effective and efficient way. Our schools are designed to give students state-of-the-art technology and academic environments that promote learning and achievement.”

As it approaches its second anniversary, the SCC has hundreds of school construction projects under way and is making tremendous progress in fulfilling the visionary goal of Governor McGreevey, who initiated the SCC in July 2002 to streamline the building of much-needed quality schools statewide. The SCC is responsible for implementing New Jersey's $8.6 billion school building program - the largest public construction program ever undertaken by the State of New Jersey, and one of the largest programs of its type ever undertaken in the nation.

Gregory Stewart, Central High School Principal	Whitney Hatcher, Class of 2007
New Central High School Rendering

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